Wednesday, 25 January 2012

They say that nothing good ever comes from staring at the bottom of an empty glass but as I finished my Babycham there at the bottom of the glass was a hexagon. Who would have thought to look there for one. The more I looked the more I saw as they graduated in size down the stem of the glass.

Talking of hexagons. I am still plodding on and still have many more to sew but I am halfway there.

Today I have been indulging myself in a little bit of scrap sewing. Selvedges to be more exact. I had all my scraps neatly stored in a box and of course now it looks like an explosion and I am wondering how I am going to get them all back in the box and shut the lid. It also has not made even a little dent in the mass. This probably will be a wallhanging.

Two more Farmer's Wife blocks which brings the total up to 13.

Block 12

Block13.

This was definitely an unlucky number. I discovered that the sizing is completely out on this one. It has gone back in the box until I have the will to put it right and continue. Lesson learned - check the size before stitching. It is so out that no way can I even fudge it.

All the small blocks for Dancing Dollies are done and there are 3 very excited girls waiting in the wings to make their debut on the blogging stage.

Total housebuilding stands at 5. These 3" blocks really do make the most of tiny scraps. Now I knew why I was saving them.

DIY of a different kind. My new bedroom. Well, it will be in a few more days. By the end of the week I expect it to be completely done, new curtains installed and all shipshape. Meanwhile, everywhere else looks rather untidy and will need an early Spring clean.

Sunday, 8 January 2012

Just before Christmas I spotted this little decoration in a shop and it had to come home with me. I think it will look good in my sewing room against the red wall.

This week I have been working on a little bit of secret sewing. I cannot show you the whole thing as it is a sample for Barbara Chainey's new pattern book which will be out later this year. Hope the stitching will pass muster. Thank you Barbara for sending me pink fabric.

Edit - the stitching won't be appearing in the pattern book, just the patterns. Barbara will be using the samples to show what the patterns look like made up.

I have also been catching up with the border blocks for Dancing Dollies. This pattern is a delight to do and the colours are just so cheerful. The dollies are still awaiting to make their debut but all in good time.

One more house to add to the collection. There is no pressure to make one a day which is just as well as I have only made two this week. It uses up the smallest of scraps proving that you shouldn't throw them away.

The other day we went to Dart's Farm Shop and we managed to wander into the alcohol section. As you do. As I turned a corner I gave out a gasp and a ooh in degrees of delight and I heard this voice say " Are you alright Madam?" There in front of me was a little crate with the words RETRO Drinks and my favourite tipple of yesteryear - Babycham. Haven't seen these for years but they are still being made and here in Somerset at Shepton Mallet. So, a few bottles came home with me. Yesterday we had a little drive out to Budleigh Salterton on the East Devon coast and there in a Bric a Brac shop was a Babycham glass. Perfect. Quite a collector's market for vintage glassware. Hmmm, Cheers.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

A new day and a fresh new year and I have started it with a new project. If you want to join in then the details can be found at Jeanneke's blog. I am not sure yet if I will make all 366 houses and if I can stitch them all on time but I will have a jolly good try. They are tiny blocks and I am hand stitching them. One down, 365 to go.

A few days ago I managed to finish this pair of socks. They are for my sister and only 10 months late. I am sure she will be pleased to see them though.

No resoultions this year. I fail miserably to keep them. What I have promised is to just go with the flow of things and to not worry if things don't go to plan. Does it really matter how many UFO's I have or how many more I start? One thing is for sure I am going to enjoy every stitch and I am also going to enjoy seeing everyone else's stitches and maybe with a more relaxed attitude some of those projects will become finished ones.